1The falsehood and mischievous devices of the wicked: 5the excellency of the divine mercy, righteousness, truth, and lovingkindness. 10David prayeth God to continue his favour to the good, and to baffle the designs of the wicked.
0To the 1chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.
1 See the first annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.
1THE2 transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 That is, when I consider and weigh the evil and careless condition and practice of the wicked, then I am constrained as surely to believe that there is neither fear nor dread of God in their hearts, as if the wicked did declare and avouch it in plain terms, and express words themselves. So evident and palpable is the wickedness of their works, which does disquiet and afflict me in the most inward of my heart.
2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, 3until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3 Or, until his iniquity be found, which is to be hated or hateful; that is, even if his wickedness becomes totally manifest and palpable, so that it is hated by everyone, nevertheless, he pleases and sooths himself in the evil, and ever continues in it. Other, when he fulfilleth or obtaineth his iniquity, (that is, his evil purpose) which he ought to hate, that is, when it goes according to his liking, then he perceives, that his practice is good, although he ought to abhor it.
3The words of his mouth are 4iniquity and deceit: 5he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
4 That is, unprofitable, hurtful and deceivable, or tending to vex, abuse and deceive the godly.
5 That is, he will be instructed by none to any amendment of his life; he is desperately obstinate and past feeling.
4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
5Thya mercy, 6O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
a Psalm 57:10; 108:4.
6 Against all the turbulences and rages of the wicked, together with the sorrow he derived from it, the prophet comforts and refreshes himself with the consideration of God’s incomprehensible, unsearchable and steadfast goodness, faithfulness and righteousness, which He shows in the government of all things in general, so especially of His people, whom He, notwithstanding the enmity of the wicked, abundantly favors and assures them the just and final destruction of their enemies.
6Thy righteousness is like the great 7mountains; thy judgments are a great 8deep: O LORD, thou preservest 9man and beast.
7 That is, as the largest and highest of all. See of this manner of speaking Gen. 13 on verse 10. The sense is: that God’s justice and righteousness manifests itself all over the world and is steadfast and unmovable, yea often far above the reach of our comprehension. See on verse 10.
8 That is, thy counsel and government, or manner of proceeding both in general with all the creatures and especially in regard of the elect and reprobate, is past finding out. See Rom. 11:33.
9 Or, men and beasts. See Job 38:39, etc.; Psalm 147:9; Mat. 5:45; 1 Tim. 4:10
7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the 10shadow of thy wings.
10 See Ruth 2 on verse 12, and compare with this place Job 36:11 with the annotation.
8They shall be abundantly 11satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
11 Understand here the spiritual meat and drink of the soul. See Isa. 25:6; 65:13; 66:11, and compare Psalm 63:5; 65:4; Jer. 31:12, 14; 50:19. Likewise with the Song of Solomon.
9For with thee is the fountain of 12life: in 13thy light shall we see light.
12 That is, a living and ever-springing fountain, whereby the soul lives spiritually, is abundantly refreshed, revived and entertained; compare Jer. 2:13; 17:13; John 4:14; 7:38, 39.
13 That is, when Thou art pleased to enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit, and showest us Thy Fatherly countenance in the Messiah, then do we obtain the right understanding of Thy works of grace, and enjoy a most lively comfort and gladness of heart. Compare Job 29:3; Psalm 4:5, 6; 27:1 with the annotation; Isa. 9:2; James 1:17 and for as much as this therewith concerns the glory of life everlasting, Psalm 16 on verse 11; 17:15. Likewise Zech. 14:6, 7; Col. 1:12; Rev. 21:11, 23; 22:5.
10 O 14continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy 15righteousness to the upright in heart.
14 Hebr. draw out at length, that is, stretch out, pursue. Compare Jer. 31 on verse 3.
15 Which requires that Thou keep Thy promises, protect the upright of heart, punish their enemies, and consequently maintain everything in good order and disposition, notwithstanding any stir and rage of the wicked.
11Let not the foot of 16pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked 17remove me.
16 Or, of the proud, that is of the proud ones (see Job 35 on verse 13), who seek to tread me under foot, or to set their foot upon my neck.
17 Or, let not the hand of the wicked chase me away.
1218There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
18 Namely, where they now sought and thought to overthrow the godly; or, then. Compare Psalm 14:5 and the annotation there.